MINNEAPOLIS — The University of Wisconsin men's basketball team is back in March Madness following a one-year absence, and despite a more-somber locker room reaction under half an hour removed from a loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament title game, it was never in doubt.
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Photos: Wisconsin men's basketball plays Purdue in Big Ten Tournament semifinal
Purdue center Zach Edey, center, gets into an altercation with Wisconsin players during the first half.
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit, right, celebrates with forward Tyler Wahl, center, after Saturday's overtime win against Purdue in the Big Ten semifinals in Minneapolis.
Purdue center Zach Edey, left, and Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit get into an altercation during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue center Zach Edey (15) and Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit, right, get into an altercation during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin coach Greg Gard watches during the first half.
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue forward Mason Gillis (0) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) works toward the basket as Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn (23) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin guard Max Klesmit (11) and forward Steven Crowl (22) high-five during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin players celebrate after their overtime win over Purdue following an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn scores on a layup to force overtime against Purdue in Saturday's Big Ten Tournament semifinal at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Hepburn scored on the same play as Bronson Koenig's game-winning 3 that sent the Badgers to the Sweet 16 in 2016.
Purdue guard Braden Smith (3) talks with teammates after missing a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue guard Lance Jones (55) shoots during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin guard AJ Storr, front, works toward the basket as Purdue guard Myles Colvin (5) defends during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue head coach Matt Painter signals during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Purdue guard Braden Smith, center, talks with teammates after missing a shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wisconsin in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin forward Tyler Wahl shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin guard Chucky Hepburn dunks during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore celebrates after scoring a 3-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Wisconsin forward Carter Gilmore celebrates after scoring a 3-point shot during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Purdue in the semifinal round of the Big Ten Conference tournament, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
